Snap action switch

Abstract

The snap action switch has a spring biased plunger carrying directly or indirectly at least one articulated contact carrier extending laterally from opposite sides of the plunger and having two convex contacts of cylindrical, semi-circular or prism configuration. These contacts cooperate with stationary contacts arranged in pairs and including at least two pairs with a total of four contacts arranged in a near-rectangle; the contacts of each pair are inclined to each other for defining a trough-like configuration for concurrent engagement with one of the contacts on the carrier. This way, a total of four contact make and break points is defined for a single current path.

I claim: 
     
       1. Snap action switch, comprising: a spring-biased plunger movable in a first, longitudinal direction;   at least one contact carrier, extending laterally from the plunger in opposite directions and having two contacts respectively arranged on the carrier on opposite sides of the plunger and along an axis at right angles to said first direction, each contact having first and second surface portions respectively facing in different directions, these directions being located in a plane extending parallel to said first direction as well as to a direction at right angles to said first direction, said plane further extending at right angles to said carrier axis;   a plurality of stationary contacts arranged in pairs and including at least two pairs, the two pairs being respectively arranged adjacent to said two contacts with a total of four contacts arranged in a near-rectangle, the contacts of each pair being inclined to each other, defining a trough-like configuration respectively for concurrent engagement with one and the same of the contacts on said carrier, whereby the different directions, in which the said surface portions of the respective contact face, are oriented respectively at right angles to contact surfaces of the stationary contacts of the respective pair:   a convex calotte-shaped mount in the plunger; and   means for articulating the contact carrier on the calotte-shaped mount, for permitting the contact carrier to undergo a turning motion on an axis in said first direction.   
     
     
       2. Switch as in claim 1, the contacts of each pair being established by bent-off vanes of, and extending from, a stationary contact carrier, the two stationary contact carriers of the two pairs being arranged in a common plane. 
     
     
       3. Switch as in claim 1, the contacts of each pair being integral and being configured to have a V-shaped contour. 
     
     
       4. Switch as in claim 1, one contact of each pair being interconnected by a bar, there being two bars accordingly arranged parallel to said carrier axis and to both sides of the plunger. 
     
     
       5. Switch as in claim 1, said contacts and contact carrier being of dumbbell-like configuration, the contacts of the carrier being cylindrical. 
     
     
       6. Switch as in claim 1, said contact and contact carrier being integral of prism cross-section. 
     
     
       7. Switch as in claim 1, said contact carrier having a U-shaped profile, the contacts on the carrier being curved pieces at the ends of the carrier. 
     
     
       8. Switch as in claim 1, said plunger having an opening, said contact carrier having been in said plunger opening and having a circular opening and being seated on said mount, and means for urging the contact carrier onto said mount. 
     
     
       9. Snap action switch as in claim 1, having a second, similar contact carrier cooperating with four similar stationary contacts and being articulatedly mounted on the plunger. 
     
     
       10. Switch as in claim 1, said plunger having an opening, a carrier member displaceably mounted in said opening and carrying said contact carrier and spring means for urging the carrier member against said mount. 
     
     
       11. Switch as in claim 10, including means for retaining the contact carrier in the carrier and preventing displacement along the carrier axis.